As night fell, Elias, looking weary from his day's endeavors, finally arrived home.
"I'm back," he announced, met only by silence.
After hanging up his coat and hat, Elias curiously glanced at the living room, wondering about the lack of response.
He found Isabella still sitting on the half sofa, deep in thought and not even glancing his way.
Her lips were tightly pressed together, and she seemed to be stewing in her own thoughts all day.
Elias couldn't help but find the situation somewhat amusing. Was this her version of giving him the cold shoulder?
He walked over, a hint of resignation in his step. "You didn't really sit here all afternoon, did you?"
Seeing her continued indifference, he joked, "So, any brilliant plans come to mind on how to escape me?"
Isabella swiftly shot a glance at him, noticing his exhausted slump on the other half of the sofa. Her eyes flickered with curiosity.
